Sree Nagarajapuram Temple Elanthoor

Time stand still in an around, the Sree Nagarajapuram Temple, situated at Elanthoor East facing behind the Sree Bhadrakali Devi Temple and Sree Mahavishnu Temple. Days back to history it was only a Nagathara. In 1954 it was renovated and a Bhajanamadom was built adjacent nagathara where the Kurava Community. In 1998 the idols of Nagaraja and Nagayakshi were installed and consecrated according to Thantra Shasthra and Shadadhara and evening rituals started following the repeated request of devotees. A “Peedom” (a small raised platform) was erected for Kalleli Appoppan (a hill God). In 2013 an idol of Lord Siva (Siva lingam) was curved in granite and installed. Every evening the temple priest light a holly lamp and offers flowers here. On the day of Aayilyam in the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam the head priest perform ritualistic offering of noorum palum and other related pooja ceremonies. The head priest will lead all the rituals. The shrine is protected and controlled by the All Kerala Sidhanar Society (branch no.478). Every month, on the first day and Aayilyam day, ritualistic deeparadhana will be performed from 15 Edavam to the end of Karkidaka a holly lamp is lighted as per Tantra Sastra customary poojas are offered to the sub-deities.

Important Poojas

Archana

Manjalpodi Abhishekam (turmeric powder)

Varappodi Abhishekam

Nilavara payasam (on the request of devotees)

Udayada (pattu charthal)

Kalleli Appooppan

Thampoolam

Oorali padayani (on the request of devotees)

Mahadevan (Lord Siva)

Koovalamala charthal

Pushparchana

Udayada

Jaladhara

In Kerala snake gods are worshipped in different forms like Nagaraja, Nagayakshi, Nagachamundi and Sapayakshi. Nagayakshi and Sarpayakshy are the wives of Lord Nagaraja and Nagachamundi is his sister. Sarppa Bali, Noorum Palum and manjal (turmeric powder) abhishekam are the main offerings to these deities. Vallikkottu, Mannarassala, Panayannarkavu (near Parumala), Sarngakavu, near Venmani, Vallikkavu near Chengannur and Pambummekkattu near Mala are the famous sarppakavu in Kerala. Nagaraja is a Sanskrit word and its meaning is ‘king of snakes’. Aadi Shesha and Vasuki are known as Nagarajas. Lord Anantha is the thousand-headed immortal and infinite snake upon whom rusts Lord Vishnu in the primordial ocean of milk (ksheerasagara). The Lord or serpents, Shesha Naga was incarnated to the earth in the form of Lakshmana during Treta Yuga and during the Dwapara Yuga, he incarnated as Balarama. He is said to be an eternal companion of Vishnu in all incarnations. Lord Vasuki is the necklace of Lord Siva and he represents the dormant energy, called Kundalini, the serpent power. Anandha, Vasuki, Thakshaka, Padma, Mahapadma, Gulika, Shamghapala and Karkodaka are the Ashtanga (eight great snakes) described in Hindu Purnas. Kashyapa and Kadru are considered as parents of all snakes.

Mythology says that Kerala was created from the Arabian Sea and given to the Brahmins (Namboothirys) as a ‘donation’ by Parasu Rama to save himself from the sins of killing numerous Kshathriya kings. The land was full of forests and poisonous snakes were found in plenty. So the Brahmins refused to stay there. Parasu Rama requested Lord Siva to provide a solution. Lord Siva told Parasurrama to start worship in Ananda the king of Snakes. Parasu Rama did so and Ananda advised him to start snake worship in Kerala and provide some forests especially for snakes in the form of sarppakkavu (snake forest). Parasu Rama later installed the idols of Ananda and Vasuki at Vettikkottu (near Kayamkulam in Alleppy district) and Mannarassala (near Harippadu in Alleppy district) and started worshipping them. The Brahmins also worshipped Ananda and Vasuki and pleased snake gods made Kerala suitable for living. Brahmins made several sarppakkavu in Kerala, and they were there in all the agricultural plots throughout Kerala. All temples in Kerala will have sarppa prathishta and some temples will have large sarppakkavu. There are several families in Kerala have sarppakkavu in their own lands. Once in six months or once in a year there used to be offerings (to the snakes in these sarppakkavu). Even now, there are some sarppakkavu in Kerala were people are worshipping snakes. To these “preserved forests” none are allowed to enter even for collecting firewood or anything else. These forests are filled with trees and plants, which are herbs for the treatment of snakebites.

The main festivals associated with Nagaraja are the Aayilyam day in the month of kanni (September-October) and Thulam (October-November) and Nagapanchami in Karkidakam (July-August). Aaylyam in Kanni is famous as Vettikkottu Aayilyam and Aayilyam in Thulam is famous as Mannarassala Aayilyam.

The temple opens everyday

Kshethra Aaradhana(importance of temple worship)

Devotees visit temples and worship idols in order to seek blessings, health and wealth from the deity and also to ward of all kinds accidents, calamities
and evil eyes. Devotees should enter the temple only after purifying his body and mind.

About Elanthoor

Elanthoor is the birthplace of the famous actor Mohanlal
The village is located between Pathanamthitta and Kozhencherry. The T. K. Road (Thiruvalla-Pathanamthitta-Kumbazha Road / SH - 07) connects the town to other major towns. Elanthoor is easily accessible to the Main Eastern Highway through Pathanamthitta. Elanthoor Gandhi is a very famous personality.